WINTER PARK, Fla. -- A visiting assistant professor at the University of Tampa was fired today after describing Hurricane Harvey's devasting hammering of Texas as “instant karma” for Lone Star residents who voted Republican last year.

Kenneth Storey, who lives in Winter Park and who also teaches at Hillsborough Community College, created a furor online Sunday when he sent out this tweet: "I dont believe in instant karma but this kinda feels like it for Texas. Hopefully this will help them realize the GOP doesnt care about them."

Although Storey deleted his tweet, it was captured beforehand by others in screen shots and went viral, leading to his firing earlier today.

According to TampaBay.com, Storey said he was “only blaming those who support the GOP,” though “the good people there need to do more to stop the evil their state pushes.”

On Monday night, Storey tweeted an apology: “I deeply regret a statement I posted yesterday. I never meant to wish ill will upon any group. I hope all affected by Harvey recover quickly.”

But it didn't matter.

The University of Tampa released a statement via its Facebook page this morning: On Sunday, Aug. 27, visiting assistant professor of sociology Kenneth Storey made comments on a private Twitter account that do not reflect UT's community views or values. We condemn the comments and the sentiment behind them, and understand the pain this irresponsible act has caused. Storey has been relieved of his duties at UT, and his classes will be covered by other sociology faculty. As Floridians, we are well aware of the destruction and suffering associated with tropical weather. Our thoughts and prayers are with all impacted by Hurricane Harvey.

Henry Frederick is publisher of Headline Surfer®, the award-winning 24/7 internet news outlet covering the Daytona Beach-Sanford-Orlando metro area via HeadlineSurfer.com for a decade now. A longtime cops & courts reporter focused on breaking news & investigative reporting, Frederick is among the Sunshine State's most prolific daily news reporters, having amassed dozens of journalism-industry awards in print anddigital platforms. Frederick is enrolled at Full Sail University in Winter Garden, FL, where he's three-fourths through the online Master of Arts program in New Media Journalism. His graduation is in August.